The Center on Race and Social Problems at the School of Social Work of the University of Pittsburgh has issued a new report on racial disparities in the metropolitan region surrounding the university.

The report examines racial disparities in a number of key areas including economics, criminal justice, health, and education.

Among the findings in the education sector are:

* The typical White student in the Pittsburgh area attends a school where 90 percent of the student body is White and the majority of the student body is not poor. The typical Black student in the Pittsburgh area attends a school where half of the students are Black and the majority of students are poor.

* White, Asian, and Hispanic K–12 students are enrolled in private schools in the city of Pittsburgh at much higher rates than in the nation. Black K–12 students in the city are enrolled in private schools at much lower rates than the other racial/ethnic groups.

* In the Pittsburgh public schools, even after many low-skill students had dropped out, 24 percent of Whites and 59 percent of Blacks in 11th grade were not proficient in reading.

* In the Pittsburgh public schools, even after many low-skill students had dropped out, 37 percent of Whites and 73 percent of Blacks in 11th grade were not proficient in mathematics.

The report, Pittsburgh’s Racial Demographics 2015: Differences and Disparities, may be downloaded by clicking here.

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